Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden Recipe

Easy Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden Recipe

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If you’ve ever dined at Olive Garden, chances are you’ve seen or tasted their Grilled Chicken Margherita. Juicy grilled chicken breasts are topped with melted mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil pesto, and a drizzle of lemon garlic sauce. It’s a dish that feels both comforting and light, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or even a special occasion at home. The best part? You don’t need to head to the restaurant to enjoy it—you can make it right in your own kitchen.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through every step of making Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden style at home. I’ll also share tips, ingredient swaps, and variations to help you customize it to your taste. By the end, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal ready to serve to family or friends.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Restaurant-quality at home – This dish tastes just like Olive Garden’s version but is even fresher and customizable.
  • Healthy and flavorful – It’s high in protein, balanced with fresh vegetables, and naturally gluten-free.
  • Simple ingredients – Most of what you need is likely already in your pantry or fridge.
  • Versatile – You can serve it with pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad.

Whether you’re craving Olive Garden flavors without the takeout bill, or just want a crowd-pleasing chicken dinner, this recipe delivers.

Ingredients (Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden Recipe)

Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this delicious dish at home.

For the Chicken:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra flavor)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Toppings:

  • 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese (about ¼-inch thick)
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced into rounds
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

For the Lemon Garlic Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes:

  • Shaved Parmesan cheese
  • Extra drizzle of olive oil
  • Crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden style in your own kitchen.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
  2. If they are thick, slice them in half horizontally or pound them with a meat mallet to about 1-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking.
  3. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then season with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning evenly on both sides.
  4. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

Tip: Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge) with olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings will make it extra flavorful.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the lemon juice and zest. Season with a little salt and pepper.
  4. Remove from heat and set aside. This sauce will be drizzled over the chicken before serving.

Step 3: Grill the Chicken

  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If you’re using an outdoor grill, oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking.
  2. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for about 5–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. You want nice grill marks and an internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. During the last 2 minutes of grilling, place a slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast. Close the grill lid (or cover with foil if using a pan) to let the cheese melt.

Step 4: Assemble the Chicken Margherita

  1. Once the chicken is cooked and the mozzarella is melted, remove it from the grill.
  2. Top each piece with a slice of tomato.
  3. Spoon about ½ tablespoon of pesto over the tomato.
  4. Drizzle the warm lemon garlic sauce over everything.
  5. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of Parmesan or red pepper flakes.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden copycat hot, with your choice of side dish. Pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, or even a simple green salad all pair beautifully with this meal.

Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden

Tips and Variations

Want to make this dish your own? Here are some ideas:

Cooking Method Variations

  • Oven-baked: If you don’t have a grill, bake the seasoned chicken at 400°F for 20–25 minutes. Add mozzarella during the last 5 minutes of baking.
  • Stovetop skillet: Cook the chicken in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, flipping once. Add the mozzarella in the last few minutes and cover until melted.

Ingredient Swaps

  • Cheese: If fresh mozzarella isn’t available, use shredded mozzarella, provolone, or even burrata for a creamier twist.
  • Pesto: Traditional basil pesto is perfect, but sun-dried tomato pesto or arugula pesto work too.
  • Tomatoes: Use cherry tomatoes sliced in half for a sweeter flavor, or heirloom tomatoes for extra color.
  • Chicken: Substitute with turkey cutlets or even grilled portobello mushrooms for a vegetarian version.

Extra Flavor Boosts

  • Brush the chicken with balsamic glaze while grilling for a sweet and tangy layer of flavor.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon garlic sauce if you like a little heat.
  • Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or walnuts on top for some crunch.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

One of the best parts about making Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden style at home is that you can store and reheat leftovers easily.

  • Refrigerator: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Wrap the grilled chicken (without toppings) in foil or plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Add toppings fresh when reheating.
  • Reheating: Warm chicken in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 10 minutes. Add a fresh slice of mozzarella, tomato, and pesto right before serving.

Tip: Avoid microwaving as it can make the chicken rubbery and cause the cheese to lose its texture.

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden

Wondering what sides go best with this dish? Here are some ideas:

  • Classic pasta: Spaghetti aglio e olio (garlic and olive oil pasta) or fettuccine Alfredo.
  • Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, zucchini, or green beans.
  • Salads: A fresh Caesar salad or a simple mixed greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Bread: Garlic breadsticks or focaccia.
  • Grains: Lemon rice, couscous, or quinoa.

Make-Ahead Tips

If you’re planning a dinner party or a busy weeknight, you can prepare some parts of this recipe in advance:

  • Chicken: Season and marinate up to 24 hours ahead.
  • Lemon garlic sauce: Make up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge. Warm before serving.
  • Toppings: Slice tomatoes and mozzarella earlier in the day and store them in separate containers.

This way, all you’ll need to do is grill the chicken and assemble everything right before dinner.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

  • Calories: 340
  • Protein: 38g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 600mg

(Values vary based on exact ingredients used.)

Prep Time, Cook Time, and Servings

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Servings: 4

Conclusion (Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden Recipe)

Bringing the flavors of Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden into your own kitchen is not only possible, but surprisingly simple. With juicy grilled chicken breasts, creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil pesto, and a zesty lemon garlic sauce, this dish checks every box: fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. You don’t need to be an expert chef to recreate it—just a few basic steps and quality ingredients are all it takes.

The best part about making Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden at home is how versatile it is. You can pair it with pasta for a hearty meal, keep it light with a side salad, or even serve it alongside roasted vegetables for a well-rounded dinner. It’s a recipe that works equally well for a casual weeknight dinner or when you want to impress guests with something that tastes restaurant-quality without the restaurant price tag.

If you’re someone who loves copycat recipes, this one will quickly become a favorite. The balance of fresh flavors and classic Italian-inspired ingredients makes it a dish you’ll want to cook again and again. Plus, it’s easy to customize—swap in different cheeses, play with flavored pestos, or add your own twist to the sauce.

So the next time you’re craving the comfort of Olive Garden but want the convenience of a homemade meal, turn to this recipe for Grilled Chicken Margherita Olive Garden. It’s wholesome, delicious, and guaranteed to be a hit at your table. Once you try it, you may never feel the need to order it at the restaurant again—you’ll already have the perfect version right at home.

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